Hevrin Khalaf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hevrin Khalaf
|
|
|---|---|
| Hevrîn Xelef | |
Hevrin Khalaf in 2019
|
|
| Born | 15 November 1984 Al-Malikiyah, Syria
|
| Died | 12 October 2019 (aged 34) M4 Motorway, Rojava, Syria
|
| Cause of death | Executed by Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sharqiya militants |
| Nationality | Syrian (Kurd) |
| Alma mater | University of Aleppo |
| Occupation |
|
Hevrin Khalaf (Kurdish: Hevrîn Xelef, Arabic: هفرين خلف; born 15 November 1984 – died 12 October 2019) was a Kurdish-Syrian politician and civil engineer. She worked for many years in Rojava, a region in northern Syria. Later, she became the Secretary General of the Future Syria Party. Hevrin Khalaf was killed on 12 October 2019, during a military operation in northern Syria. This happened near the M4 Motorway south of Tell Abyad.
Early Life and Education
Hevrin Khalaf was born in Al-Malikiyah, Syria, on 15 November 1984. From a young age, she learned about political ideas and movements. Her family was involved in the Kurdish freedom movement. Her mother, Sûad, even attended meetings with Abdullah Öcalan. These experiences greatly influenced Hevrin.
Hevrin Khalaf studied hard and graduated from the University of Aleppo in 2009. She earned a degree in civil engineering. This means she learned how to design and build things like roads, bridges, and buildings.
Her Work and Goals
After finishing her studies, Hevrin Khalaf went back to Al-Malikiyah. When the Rojava conflict started, she began working to create groups and projects that would help improve civil society. Civil society means the way people work together outside of government to make their communities better. She managed one of the Economic Councils, which helps with money and resources.
Hevrin Khalaf became well-known in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. This is a self-governing region in northern Syria. In 2012, she helped start the Foundation for Science and Free Thought.
Leading the Future Syria Party
In 2016, Hevrin Khalaf became a co-chair of the energy authority. Her political group, the Future Syria Party, helped manage northern Syria after the city of Raqqa was taken back from the Islamic State group in 2017.
Hevrin Khalaf was very good at diplomacy. Diplomacy is the skill of managing relationships between different groups or countries. She took part in talks with officials from the United States, France, and other places. She worked to bring people together and increase understanding among Christians, Arabs, and Kurds.
A writer named Aden Al Hendi described Hevrin's dedication in Foreign Policy magazine. He said she worked very long hours, from early morning until late at night. She would travel to different areas to help children with math or meet with Arab leaders to solve problems. She truly showed how the Future Syria Party wanted to help everyone in the region.
Hevrin Khalaf believed that the problems in Syria, which had caused many people to leave their homes or be harmed, could only be solved through peaceful political discussions.
Her Death
On 12 October 2019, Hevrin Khalaf was killed during a military operation in northern Syria. She was one of several civilians who lost their lives in the first days of this operation. Reports stated that her car was stopped by armed groups.
Her death was a great loss to many. Mutlu Civiroglu, an expert on Kurdish affairs, said she had a "talent for diplomacy." The Future Syria Party released a statement expressing deep sadness over her death. They said she was performing her important duties when she died. Hevrin Khalaf was 34 years old.
Videos later appeared online that seemed to show the vehicle Hevrin Khalaf was traveling in. Investigations, including one by Bellingcat, suggested that a group called Ahrar al-Sharqiya was involved in her death. This group was fighting alongside Turkey. While they denied involvement, other videos seemed to show their presence at the scene.
Many people, including The Washington Post, said that her killing was a serious violation of international law. Her funeral was held in Al-Malikiyah on 14 October 2019.
In January 2020, the BBC's Arabic service investigated Hevrin Khalaf's death. They concluded that a sub-group of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, Ahrar al-Sharqiya, had killed her at a checkpoint. Ahrar al-Sharqiya later stated that the group at the checkpoint had acted without permission and that those responsible would face trial.
